Each group member will create 1 costume per character (4-6 per group member)
Refer to the characterization worksheets that you completed for character descriptions
Feel free to create your own characters or use the worksheets below to create your costumes
While creating costumes think about:
What are the functions of costumes?
How could a change in costume effect the time period of the play?
Fabric samples, color scheme, etc.
Remember! You are a Costume Designer:
Review the costume plots for Arsenic and Old Lace and Beauty Queen of Leenane. Use these examples to create a similar costume plot for your play. This is the research (investigative) section of the Design Cycle.
Create a clear statement of a design concept in harmony with the director’s concept.
Develop a statement of the major design metaphor being employed.
Create statements detailing how costume design elements will help in the revelation of each character. Consider biological, physical, psychological, social, emotional and environmental aspects of the characters and the world of the play.
Create sketches, drawings, or create a collage of pictures or other visual aids to present and illustrate design goals.
Be prepared, with your team, to present your ideas to the class.
There are several charts you use when designing costumes for a show. 1. A Composite Chart: A composite of all the actors’ measurements
2. Costume Scene Break‐Down: A chart that breaks‐down each scene of the play and when each character enters and exits each scene, and if they change costumes from one scene to another etc.
3. Costume Plot 1: A list of all the characters in one column, and a brief description of their costume based on contextual clues from the script ie; “My Jessica what a lovely Fur Coat”‐you would write Jessica ‐ Fur Coat ‐ Act I scene V 4. Costume Plot 2: Same as costume plot 1 but now with full costume descriptions (this is done after you have created colored renderings for each character.
Then there are several optional Charts depending on the costume shop that include:
‐Accessories Chart
‐Millinery (hats)
‐Hair/Beards
‐Footwear
‐Fabric Swatch Chart
Characterization is a very important part of costume design. Read the descriptions of the characters and tell how their costume supports their personalities. Characterization and Costumes
Costumes can be one of the most challenging tasks for a designer. Watch the following video of an interview with Julie Taymor, costume designer for the Broadway musical, The Lion King.
Remember! You are a Costume Designer:
- Review the costume plots for Arsenic and Old Lace and Beauty Queen of Leenane. Use these examples to create a similar costume plot for your play. This is the research (investigative) section of the Design Cycle.
- Create a clear statement of a design concept in harmony with the director’s concept.
- Research time period and visual references. Be patient with the links at this site: Costume History Sorted by Era
- Develop a statement of the major design metaphor being employed.
- Create statements detailing how costume design elements will help in the revelation of each character. Consider biological, physical, psychological, social, emotional and environmental aspects of the characters and the world of the play.
- Create sketches, drawings, or create a collage of pictures or other visual aids to present and illustrate design goals.
- Be prepared, with your team, to present your ideas to the class.
Read about costumes at: About Costume DesignResearch costumes
What is a costume chart?
There are several charts you use when designing costumes for a show.1. A Composite Chart: A composite of all the actors’ measurements
2. Costume Scene Break‐Down: A chart that breaks‐down each scene of the play and when each character enters and exits each scene, and if they change costumes from one scene to another etc.
3. Costume Plot 1: A list of all the characters in one column, and a brief description of their costume based on contextual clues from the script ie; “My Jessica what a lovely Fur Coat”‐you would write Jessica ‐ Fur Coat ‐ Act I scene V
4. Costume Plot 2: Same as costume plot 1 but now with full costume descriptions (this is done after you have created colored renderings for each character.
Then there are several optional Charts depending on the costume shop that include:
‐Accessories Chart
‐Millinery (hats)
‐Hair/Beards
‐Footwear
‐Fabric Swatch Chart
Characterization is a very important part of costume design. Read the descriptions of the characters and tell how their costume supports their personalities.
Characterization and Costumes
Costumes can be one of the most challenging tasks for a designer. Watch the following video of an interview with Julie Taymor, costume designer for the Broadway musical, The Lion King.